Valve rotator



Nov. 4L 192m w. G. BUCK 1513741 VALVE RoTAToR Filed May 25, 1920 lillllllllllllllllll Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

UNl'lE@ S'lATS WILMER G. BUCK, OF FREMONT, NEBRASKA, ASSGNOR T CONTINENTAL ENGINEER ING CORPORATION, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA, A CORPORATION OF NEBRASKA.

VALVE ROTA'IOR.

Appflicaton led May 25,

T 0 all fw hom t may concern.'

Be it known thatl, VILMER G. BUCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fremont, in the county of Dodge and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valve Rotators, of which the following is a. specification, refer-` ence being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

' This invention deals with an improved device for rotating valves of the poppet type used more particularly in connection with an internal combustion engine.

The use of the device has proven to be an effective means for maintaining the Contact ing surfaces of the valve and its seat in their highest state of efficiency by preventing the accumulation of foreign deposit therebetween.

Broadly speaking, the results attained in the present case'have heretofore been attempted but as a general rule these prior devices are either of an extremely complicated nature or else require a change, more or less, in the standard construction of the valve to enable their attachment thereto; also, in some instances, the operation of the device is accompanied by a metallic click between certain of the loose parts thereof. Any one of these disadvantages is suiicient to cause their rejection for adaption to the high standard of internal combustion engine constructions used in automobiles of today.

It is therefore the main aim of the present invention to provide a rota-tor of extremely simple construction, consisting of a minimum number of parts, cheap to manufacture, and easy to assemble, which when attached in place works in a highly efficient and durable manner.

Another object of the invention resides in the novel manner of causing a step by step rotation of the valve during the normal operations thereof, which results in a slight wipingY action of the valve head against its seatduring the seating strolre of said valve, thereby removing any sediment or deposit that may happen to find lodgment on either the valve face or its seat.

Another obj ect of the invention resides in the novel manner of eliminating the objec- 1920. Serial N0. 384,177.

tionable click between the metallic parts of the device during the actuation thereof.

Another object attained in the present invention is the ability to adjust the degree of rotation of the valve during its operations. Other objects and aims of the invention more or less broader than those stated above, together with the advantages inherent, will be in'part obvious and in part specifically referred to in the course of the following description of the elements, combinations, arrangement of parts, and application ofv principles constituting the invention, and the scope of the invention contemplated will appear from the claims.

In the accompany drawings which are to be considered in connection with the following detailed description, there is shown the preferred embodimentof thel invention, used in connection with an internal combustion engine, but it will of course be understood that the device is applicable to any type of power engine using reciprocating valves. The drawings should, therefore, be considered simply as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

In these drawings Figure l, is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of an engine showing the valve rotator in elevation as applied to the valve stem.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the rotator as applied to the valve stem.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the loosely mounted member and the ring which coacts therewith.

vFigure 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction as indicated.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the cap.

Figure 6 is a plan and also a side elevation. of the washer employed in this case.

Figure 7 is a plan view showing both the affixed member and also the movable member provided with the co-active inclined surfaces.

Referringl now more specifically to` the drawings, 10 indicates generally the cylinder of the engine in which the usual piston 11 operates and secured, or cast integral with the cylinder, is the valve casing 12 tory action of having the usual seat 13 therein. Cooperating with the valve seat 13 is the headed end 14- of the reciprocating valve 15, the opposite end of the valve 15 being actuated by the tappet 13. All of these parts being` of the standard construction no claim: thereto is madel in the present application.

Keyed to the valve stem 15 by a cross key 17 is what l term an afliXed member 18, socketed or recessed as at 19 for the reception of certain operative elements of the device. This afiXed member is provided with a peripheral flange 2G, which is grooved as at 21 to form one face of a ball raceway, and is also circumferentially reduced as at 22 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Loosely mounted on the valve stem is a member 23, one end of which is flanged as shown at 2li, while the opposite end is provided with diametrically opposite lugs 25m 25. Then in assembled relation the flanged end of' the loosely mounted inembe1 is positioned within the socketed or recessed portion of the aflixed member and is held therein by a cap 26 which has a machine fit with the side walls of the affixed member 18. The end of the cap is slightly beaded or bent inwardly as designatedr at 27 to snag within the circumferentially reduced portion 22 when the cap is in applied position. The opposite end of the cap has cut out portions 28-28 to permit the passage of the cap over the lugs 25-25 during the assemblage of the parts.

ln order that the loosely mounted member be positively oscillated during the operations of the valve, a bushing illustrated 29, is keyed in any suitable manner to the valve casing to prevent relative rotation thereof. The side walls of the bushing are slotted as shown at 30`3O for the reception of the lugs 25-25 on the loose member. s will be noted, the side walls of the lugs 25-25 are flattened and at a pitch in keeping with the angularityT of the slots 30-30. This increases the line of contact between these parts, which materially reduces the degree of wear therebetween.

Also arranged within the socketed or recessed portion 19 of the affixed member 18 and beneath the flanged end 24k of the loosely mounted mem-ber 23j is a ring 31 which ring` is frictionally held in position within the socket 19 and against the base thereof by a spring band 32 or the like. This band 32 is anOled at one end as shown at which is adapted-to be inserted within a cross cut 34 in the periphery of the ring 31. The purpose of this band 32 is merely to prevent independent movement of the ring within the recessed portion 19 during the reciprocathe valve.

The adjacent faces of the danged end 24 and the ring 31 are provided with a series of oppositely inclined surfaces 35 and 36, re-

spectivelyS the depths of the inclined surfaces being greater than the intervening` space 3i' between the top of the flanged end anc the inner face of the overlying portion of the cap 26. Tf desired, a washer as shown at 387 may be inserted within the cap for the purpose of bridging the spaces or cut out portions 23-28 therein7 thereby increasing the area of surface contact between the parts during operation. This washer is made in two part-s as shown in the drawings for the purpose of permitting its insertion into the cap 26 after the latter has passed over the lugs 25-25 on the member 23. When in applied position the peripheral edges of the washer 38 are adapted to rest on the upper edge of the walls of the socket 19 and are securely held thereon by the binding action of the cap 26. This sectional .washer 38 is provided with thickened portions 39H39 which are adapted to snugly fit within the cutouts 28-28 in the cap, thereby preventing relative movements between the washer and cap.

Looselyarranged upon the affixed member 18 above the peripheral flange 20, is a ring 110, the inner face of which is grooved as at l1 to constitute the opposite wall of the ball raceway. Suitable bearings illustrated at 4 2 are positioned in the groot/'es 21 and 41 to relieve the device from: any frictional contact arising from the expansion spring 43 which rests at one end against the outer face of the ring and at its opposite end against the valve casing.

Assuming that the parts are assembled and connected with the valve stem as shown in Figures 1 and 2 the complete operation of the device is as follows:

On the opening movement of the valve the lugged portions 25-25 on the loosely mounted member 23 engage in the slots 30%30 of the bushing 28 and cause a rotation of the sleeve 23, which results in the riding' ofthe inclined surfaces 35 and 3G one upon the other to such an extent to force the flanged end 24 against the inner face of the washer or cap and the lower face of the ring 31 against the inner wall of the recess 19. Tn this position, all of the parts are frictionally bound together so that the continued upward movement of the stem will result in a slight forward impulse or rotative action being given thereto. During the high speed of the engine this slightrotating action is suicient to cause thek parts to 'continue rotation on the downor closing stroke of the valve, so that a wiping action takes place between the vali/*e face' and 4its seat just as the valve is closing. 0n theV down' stroke of the valve, theV lugs 25-25, being in engagement with the slots '30--30, cause a rotative action to takeV place in thelopposite directiom which initially uncouples .the parts and on riding down the inclined sur faces and by engaging the shoulders there of, the rotative action imparted to the loosely mounted member advances the ring 31 slightly to correctly position the same for the next up or opening stroke of the valve.

While I have described and shown the device attached to an L-head type of engine, it is to be understood that the same principal might just as well be incorporated and with the same efficiency on an engine employing the overhead system of valves; in fact, it may be used on any type of reciprocating valve and function in the same manner as herein described.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. The combination with a. valve adapted to have opening and closing movements, a casing secured to the valve stem of means for otherwise moving the valve comprising axially alined cooperating parts arranged within the casing and adapted to frictionally engage to eect rotation of the valve and subsequent release thereof during the cycle of movements of the valve.

Q. The combination with a valve adapted to have opening and closing movements, a casing secured to the valve stem of means for otherwise moving the valve intermittently comprising axially alined cooperating parts arranged within the casing and adapted to frictionally engage to effect rotation of the valve and subsequent release thereof during the cycle of movements of the valve.

3. A combination with a valve adapted to have opening and closing movements, of means for otherwise moving the valve about its longitudinal axis comprising a casing affixed to the valve, and axially aligned co-active parts therein adapted for frictional engagement with the casing during one of the movements of the valve to effect rotation of the valve and subsequent release thereof during the cycle of movements of the valve.

4. The combination of a valve adapted to have opening and closing movements, of means for otherwise moving the valve intermittently about its longitudinal axis, co-mprising a casing affixed to the valve, and coactive parts therein adapted for frictional engagement with the opposite end walls of the casing during one of the movements of the valve to effect rotation of the valve and subsequent release thereof during the cycle of movements of the valve.

5. The combination with a valve adapted to have opening and closing movements, of means for otherwise moving the valve, com- .rising a member affixed to the valve and having a relatively movable -member coaxially alined with the affixed member and adapted upon movement in one direction to frictionally bind the members and the valve together to effect rotation of the valve and klongitudinally shiftable i part within said casing and adapted to frictionally engage with the casing to effect rotation of the valve1 when moved in one direction and subsequent release thereof when moved in the opposite direction. l

7. The combination with a valve adapted to have opening and closing movements,

means for otherwise moving the valve comprising a member affixed to the valve stem, a second member loosely mounted on the valve stem, means for longitudinally shifting the loosely mounted member with respect to the` afiixed member during the opening and closing movements of the valve to frictionally locl and subsequently release the member to the valve to effect a rotation of the valve duri-ng the cycle of movements thereof.

8. The combination with a valve adapted` to have opening and closing movements, of means for otherwise moving the valve intermittently, comprising axially alined cooperating parts adapted for relative rotary and longitudinal shifting movements andby such movements to frictionally engage during one stroke of the valve and subsequent release thereof during the opposite movement of the valve.

9. The combination with a valve adapted to have opening and closing movements, a casing secured to the valve stem of means for rotating the valve during one of said movements comprising axially alined coop-A erating parts arranged within the casing and arlaiited to frictionally engage and subsetpieutly release the casing and thereby and the valve during the cycle of movements thereof.

10. ln combination with a valve adapted to have opening and closing movements, a casing secured to the valve stem of means for otherwise moving the valve con'iprising axially alined cooperating parts arranged, within the casing and having oppositely disposed cammed surfaces adapted to effect a binding action between the parts and the casing during one of the movements of said valve and to subsequently release the parts during the opposite movement of the valve. 1l. The combination with a valve adapted opening and closing movements, of means for otherwise moving the valve comprising a casing and cooperating parts within the,

casing having opposite-ly disposed crammed surfaces adaptedto ride one upon the other during one of the movements of the valve to effect a frictional engagement between the valve and said parts and the casing and a subsequent release of the valve by the -reverse riding of said cam surfaces during the opposite movement of the valve.

12. The combination with a valve adapted to have opening and closing movements, of means for otherwise moving the valve, comprising a casing and cooperating parts within the casing having oppositely disposed cammed surfaces adapted to effect a frictional engagement between the valve and said parts and said casing when the valve is moved in one direction and to subsequently release the frictional engagement between the parts and the casing when the valve is moved in the opposite direction.

13. In a rotating crevice for a reciprocating valve comprising a member affixed to the valve stem, a second member loosely mounted on the valve stem, means for oscillating said second member during the operations of the valve, a. casing secured to the affixed member for holding said members in operative relation to one another, and Vcoac-ting means between the members for frictionally locking them with the valve when the second member is oscillated in one direction.

14. In a rotating device for a recip-rocating valve comprising a member affixed to the valve stem, a second member' loosely mounted on the valve stem, means for oscillating said second member during the operations of the valve, means carried by the affixed member for holding said members in operative relation to one another, and coacting means between the members for frictionally binding them to the valve when the second member is oscillated in one direction.

15. ln a rotating' device for a reciprocating valve comprising` a member afiixed to the valve stem, a second member loosely mounted on the valve stem, means for oscillating said second member during the operations of the valves, means for holding said members in operative relation to one another, and coacting means arranged on the adjacent end faces of the aiiiXed and loosely mounted members for affecting a frictional binding action between said members and the valve when the second member is oscillated in one direction and permitting a vsubsequent release of the parts when the .secondpmember is oscillated in the opposite direction.

16. ln a rotating device for a reciprocating valve comprising V a member affixed to the valve stem, a second member loosely mounted on the valve stem and in axial Y.z ilignment with the affixed member, means for oscillating said second member during the voperations of the valve, andmeans at 'the respective rend portions of the axed and loosely mounted members for effecting a frictional clutch engagement between the members and the valve when the second member is osoillated in one direction.

17. ln a rotating device for a reciprocating valve comprising a member affixed to the valve stem, a second member loosely mounted on the valve stem, means for oscillating said second member during the operations of the valve, a cas-ing affixed to the first member and overlying the ond of the second member, thereby holding said members in operative relation to each other, cooperating means arranged on the adjacent end portions of the affixed and loosely mounted members to effect a binding action between the parts and the valve when the valve is moved in one direction and to permit a release thereof when moved in the opposite direction.

18. ln a rot-ating device for a recipro eating valve comprising a member afiixed'to the valve stem, a second member loosely mounted on the valve stem, means for oscillating said second member during the operations of the valve, and axially aligned cooperating cammed surfaces between said members to effect a frictional engagement between the members and the valve when the valve is moved in one direction and a subsequent release thereof when the valve is moved in the opposite direction.

19. In a rotating device for a reciprocating valve comprising a member affixed to the valve stem, a second member loosely mounted on the valve stem, means for oscillating said second member during 'the operations of the valve, and coactive surfaces arranged on the affixed and loosely mounted members for effecting a frictional engagement between said members and the valve when the valve is moved in one direction and a subsequent release. thereof when moved in the opposite direction.

20. A reciprocating device for a reciproeating valve comprising a member affixed to the valve stem, a second member loosely mounted on the valve stem and in axial alignment with the afiiXed member, means for oscillating said second member during the operations of the valve, and cooperat ing surfaces on the adjacent faces of the affixed and loosely mounted members for effecting` a frictional engagement between the members and the valve when the valve is moved in one direction and a subsequent release thereof when the valve is moved in the opposite direction.

ln testimony whereof' l hereunto my signature.

Winn-na e. Buon. 

